Victoria Villalobos: Vengeance

By Steve Page and Jan Page

Victoria Villalobos is back and ready for revenge. With her passion for justice burning brighter than ever, she must decide if she will sacrifice her need for retribution for the safety of her friend. From #1 international bestselling author, Steve Page comes the second part of the hig

• Language: English
• Publisher: Viva Purpose, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9781958716045

Steve Page

Steve Page is a #1 bestselling author of three books, including Cut The Crap & Move To Costa Rica and The Ultimate Costa Rica Cookbook. He expanded his writing into the world of fiction with his first crime novel Victoria Villalobos: Retribution. He is the president of Viva Purpose Inc., an international publishing company. He is a speaker, and coach who has helped numerous people transform their personal and professional lives. Through his websites, blogs, and social media, Steve continues to provide expert advice. He has four adult children and continues to travel abroad with wife and enjoys nomad lifestyle.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Sitrep

Let’s recap. Vic’s mission of avenging her cousin’s death by making his killer pay has been mostly successful thus far. Gregario, the man responsible for Richie’s death and the head of the Gulf Cartel, is in her custody. With some intense persuasion and a few clues, she has been able to refresh Gregario’s memory and he now knows the reason for his capture. Although he remembers her from that day at the beach, he does not know her name or anything about her.

During the capture of Gregario, many key events happened. For the team, the most impactful was the loss of Mark, their grumpy, but always reliable friend. He was one of the best operators and the team will have a hard time finding his replacement. They will have to incorporate a new player fast because they will need all the help they can get for their next op.

With Gregario off the radar, Marco, his second in command, has taken over as head of the Gulf Cartel. There was chatter of the search for Gregario for a short time, but the chatter mysteriously stopped. Until the close of Part 1, Vic’s team did not know why everyone went silent regarding the disappearance of Gregario.

In addition to the death of Mark, a few key players in the organized crime world met their demise. The Serbian Mafia lost not only the head of the organization, Mr. Novak, but also his number two, Goran, who was eliminated. Goran’s justice was served by the innocent victims of the human trafficking trade business the Serbians were trying to expand into. Vic’s team was able to liberate the captives and return them home. There are a few top members of the Serbian Mafia who are fighting for control but currently, the organization is reeling and trying to hold itself together.

For the Central American Cartel (CAC), Juan Robles was the public face until he too was taken out. Now the question is, will Pablo Arias step out of the shadows and reveal himself as the true head of the organization, or will he find another puppet so he can stay off the radar? Either way, with the human trafficking shipment being intercepted, the CAC must take swift action to save face and reinforce its reputation as the elite force in organized crime.

This brings us to the current dilemma that Victoria and her team face. The final chapter of Part 1 revealed that Leo, the CAC’s number two and enforcer, had captured Robby. Camilo was shocked to see his cousin tied to a chair at Leo’s side. It was implied that Leo was looking to make a trade, Gregario for Robby. With Gregario in rough shape, it is questionable what condition Robby will be in if the team is able to get him back.

Leo had called Victoria by name as he broke in through what they thought were secure connections. This raises many questions as to how he was able to identify Vic, and how much he knows about the team and their mission. One thing is certain, with what she knows about Leo so far, he is definitely the most formidable opponent she has faced so far.

Is Victoria willing to sacrifice her desire to take Gregario’s life in order to save the life of Robby? Even if she does go through with the trade, how will the team be able to pull it off without being wiped out by the many highly trained cartel men? This time, it will be much more difficult because they no longer have the element of surprise. This time, the cartel will know they are coming.

Chapter 2

The Clock is Ticking

B ased on your recent attacks on my organization, I assume you are still hiding out somewhere in Europe, said Leo. I will give you 48 hours to bring Mr. Gregario to me in Costa Rica. I will send you the location. But first, I need proof of life in the next hour. You will video call me so I may assess his condition. Assuming he is in good health, I will not harm your friend. If his condition worsens, well, let’s just say that Robby here will meet a similar fate. I trust your man in Russia can help you with where to send the video.

Leo’s feed terminated leaving only Ivan on the screen with a look of great concern on his face. It took a few seconds for them to process what had just happened. Ivan was the first to speak.

I’m so sorry Vic,… started Ivan.

We don’t have time for sorry Ivan, Vic’s response was not one of hostility but pure business. "You need to figure out how he hacked us, we cannot operate effectively with compromised communications. That is priority number one for you.

Priya, begin making arrangements for transport to Costa Rica. Vic continued her instruction. Gregario and the three of us need to get there as soon as possible.

I told you not to involve him, Camilo started.

Stow it, Camilo! replied Vic. You know I feel terrible this happened, but there will be plenty of time for I told you so’s after we get him back. It is going to take all of us to rescue him. I seriously doubt the Central American Cartel will simply trade him for a bloody and bruised Gregario.

Addressing the group, Victoria explained their next move. We have to get him cleaned up and looking as normal as possible for the video. We have 58 minutes and counting to make him appear to be unharmed. Somehow, we have to convince Gregario that it is in his best interest to cooperate.

Imri, we need you to help keep Gregario sedated while we prep him. Start working on his wounds. Do whatever you can to minimize their visibility. If he needs stitches, take care of it. Then be ready to put whatever it takes into his IV to get him lucid and feeling as comfortable as possible. she continued.

Camilo, first I need you to go get as much ice as you can find and fill that 55-gallon drum in the room with Gregario, Vic softened her tone when she addressed him. She knew he was on edge and needed him as focused on the tasks at hand as possible. We need to give him an ice bath to try to reduce as much swelling as possible. Once you are done with that, I need you to make a list of any operators you can think of that you would trust to help us. Preferably those that are already in Costa Rica. Perhaps some of your friends from the Unidad Especial de Intervención. We need trained operatives, and the UEI’s understanding of the terrain would be invaluable.

I am going to try to set up a suitable backdrop for the call. I think the office on the west side has a blank wall without broken windows. When I am finished there, I will assist Imri with tending to Gregario’s wounds and cleaning him up. Once we are done with the ice bath, I am going to grab what little makeup I brought with me and try to put some lipstick on this pig. Hopefully, I can conceal some of the bruising. Fortunately, our skin tones are fairly similar.

In the meantime, we need to think of any leverage we can use to get him to cooperate. Let’s get started, there is no time to waste. Vic terminated the connection and closed the laptop. The team set off to attend to their various tasks.

Chapter 3

Stitches and Swelling

Camilo took the van and sped off to the nearest store to buy all the ice they had. It was apparent he was extremely angry with Victoria for getting his cousin involved in this mess, but he is a good soldier and knows when it is best to simply follow orders. Vic was right, if he had any hope of getting Robbie back in one piece, he would need the help of the entire team. As he drove, he searched his mind for the best candidates to join the team on the rescue mission.

Back at the safehouse, Imri grabbed the medical kit from the lockers and headed to the utility room where Gregario was being held. He was not a doctor but had received training from a field medic. It was his job to cover the medic while he treated injured soldiers and civilians. In the process, he got a crash course in medicine.

After checking Gregario’s vitals, he put a bit of sedative into his IV. He knew that the ice bath would stimulate Gregario and that the pain from his wounds would potentially cause him to regain consciousness. It was best to keep him knocked out while they tried to disguise the damage they had inflicted on his body. Fortunately, much of their punishment had been in the form of pressure points that did not leave marks.

It didn’t take Vic long to move the debris from the room and establish a suitable place for the call. She used the laptop to ensure the signal would be strong enough in the room for the call. Once she was satisfied the location was ready, she moved back to the utility room to help Imri.

When she got there, Imri had already hosed him down and given him a quick sponge bath. He had cleaned the wounds from the lashes to Gregario’s back. They were not very deep and did not require stitches. All he could do was apply ointment and dressings.

I guess the next thing we should do is to get him down from the chains, suggested Imri.

The team had strung up Gregario from chains that hung from the ceiling. Suspending him had been greatly effective in getting information from him and inflicting excruciating pain.

The pain from the bullet hole in Imri’s leg kept him from being able to function at full strength. Vic helped him lower Gregario to the floor and dragged him to the dentist's chair in the center of the room. After they applied the restraints, they began working on the wounds on his face.

This left eye is going to be our biggest issue, said Imri.

Vic nodded in agreement as she looked at the swollen and cut face of Gregario. "

Using the suture kit from the med kit, Imri placed three stitches in the corner of Gregario’s eye where it had torn open from the blows. The team had focused on the one eye allowing Gregario to keep a good eye to see what was coming next.

That’s a little better, said Imri as he snipped the thread of the last stitch.

Here, Victoria said as she pulled the instant ice pack from the med kit and placed it on Gregario’s left cheek and eye. Let’s hope this helps.

Victoria and Imri continued to clean wounds and scrub the dried blood from Gregario’s body. They were just finishing scrubbing his torso when Camilo entered the room with bags of ice on his shoulders.

I emptied their cooler, he reported. They had 15 bags; I hope it is enough.

They all helped unload the van and fill the drum. Once all the ice had been added, Imri grabbed the hose and began filling it the rest of the way with water. Vic and Camilo worked together to drag Gregario and lift him into the drum. His body began to spasm as the ice-cold water stimulated his nervous system.

We only have 20 minutes of this before we need to get him out and start prepping him, said Vic. Camilo, have you thought of anyone we can contact to help?

Yeah, replied Camilo. I have a couple of men we can ask but I am not sure if they are available.

Go contact Ivan and see if he can help track them down. We need to assemble the team ASAP. If they are willing to help, Ivan can help coordinate their involvement.

Camilo nodded at Vic to signal he understood and exited the room. He needed space and at this point, it was best that he didn’t have to work side-by-side with Vic. Camilo is not the only one with issues. Victoria is very worried about Robbie and knows she is responsible for what has, and is, about to happen to him. Her guilt makes it difficult to know what to say to Camilo as she tries to lead the team. Separate tasks are the best way for the team to operate efficiently and without conflict.

Chapter 4

Not Your Average Spa Day

The utility room smelled of metal, oil, and bleach. Condensation formed on the outside of the drum as the metal searched for equilibrium between the ice water inside and the warm air of the room. The boiler on the other side of the wall kept the room quite warm.

The timer on Imri’s tactical watch chirped and he looked to Vic.

Let’s get him out, she confirmed.

Pain shot through Imri’s injured leg whenever he tried to put weight on it. His face grimaced as the weight of the barrel made him brace while he and Vic gently tipped over the barrel. Together, they pulled Gregario’s cold body from the ice and got him strapped into the chair. It was obvious Imri was not in any shape for a closed-quarters battle.

With Gregario restrained, Imri checked his vitals and let Vic know he was stable for her to begin prepping. Vic laid her supplies out on the counter and considered if there was anything else she needed.

Can you please get my hair dryer from the locker? she asked.

She knew the walk to the office and back would be painful for Imri, but she didn’t have another job for him at the time, and she really needed the hair dryer. She began to dry Gregario’s head when her eye caught a glance at the air compressor in the corner. Screw this, she thought as she grabbed the hose and flipped the compressor on. In moments she had enough pressure to begin drying Gregario’s body.

As Vic worked, she considered the swap. She expected to need a minimum of two teams of operators. Imri is a great shot and with his leg injury, he will be best used as overwatch. Camilo and her knew Robby best and were most determined to bring him home safely, they were obvious team leaders. Camilo had reached out to his team members but Vic needed to see who else she could get to help. It was time to contact The Skipper.

She would have to give him a call as soon as she got done with the call with Leo, but first, she needed to focus on the task at hand. If she can get at least a 20% improvement, Robby is in serious trouble. Fortunately, the ice reduced the swelling considerably.

Before long Imri returned with the hair dryer.

Thanks, said Vic. Can you take over on the body? she asked as she reached out the nozzle in his direction.

Imri handed her the hair dryer and took the compressor nozzle from her. Vic plugged the hair dryer into the extension cord and began drying Gregario’s face and hair. She wasn’t concerned about the hair being dry, but it could not drip and mess up the makeup she was going to apply.

After a couple of minutes, she decides she needs to get to work on covering up the bruising. She trades the dryer for some concealer and a sponge. As she works, she remembers her cousin Richie picking on her when she started putting on make-up to impress the neighbor boy Juan. Thinking back, she reminisces about the bond they had and how much she misses him.

Gregario has made the connection of why he’s in her control. He has experienced a great amount of pain. He has lost a mountain of money. He has received punishment for his transgressions. But is it enough?

If she is still committed to watching him take his last breath, she will have to wait. Robby’s life Is more important than taking Gregario’s. Perhaps this reprieve will give Gregario’s body enough time to recover so that their next encounter will be starting all over again. The pain will be fresh as new wounds are created. Plus, his mind will be consumed with the ones who are hunting him.

Imri finished with the compressor and turned it off. He was so focused on his task he hadn’t seen what Vic was doing.

Wow, that’s amazing! exclaimed Imri as he approached the table.

You think so? asked Vic. Do you think it’s enough for the camera?

With the lighting in that room, I think it’s perfect, Imri answered. He looks so natural, not too good but it is obvious he’s taken a few blows to the face.

Yeah, replied Vic, I would expect nothing less than to be beaten a little if I was taken. Anyone who eliminates a security detail to take you doesn’t just want to talk.

Smart, agreed Imri.

Let’s get him dressed and in position, instructed Vic. "You get started preparing to wake him up and